Green Senior Living

A Sustainable Priority

By Cutright Elizabeth on Jun 14, 2016 in News

Though the GenX and Millennial generation are often touted as the “green living” demographic, as the New York Times reports, demand for green retirement communities is on the rise, outstripping supply and inspiring new projects and renovations.

Sustainable Retirement

Many of the newest senior living facilities include state-of-the-art technologies that are inherently energy and water efficient including low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, and onsite power systems including solar and geothermal. Natural light and an avoidance of toxic building materials helps developers provide living quarters that are aesthetically and philosophically pleasing to potential residents.

As a bonus, many environmentally friendly options can also help property managers save money. Increased efficiency can lower energy costs by reducing electricity demands, and there is often government funding available for retrofits and renovations. Another surprising benefit – onsite power systems can also serve as backup during natural disasters or service interruptions, enabling facilities to stay up and running during a grid failure.

Leading with LEED

When LEED for Health Care was adapted in 2011 to include assisted living communities and nursing homes, many communities seized the chance to earn certification. Because of strict regulations within the health care industry, allowances were made to the certification process and special protocols were included to account for issues like infection control and patient privacy.

LEED properties adhere to a comprehensive set of guidelines that cover not just energy use, but construction waste, water efficiency and landscaping, and greenhouse gas emissions. While LEED provides a standard for sustainability, many communities are also finding other ways to expand the notion of sustainable senior living. Even without LEED certification, many facilities prioritize recycling and walkability. Many pledge to avoid pesticides and introduce drought resistant landscaping. Some communities even make a farm-to-fork pledge, buying a majority of foodstuff and supplies from local vendors.

Protecting the Future

Baby boomers are already beginning to flood the senior living market, and that trend will only strengthen. A 2014 census pool predicts 20% of the US population will be 60 or older by 2050. This demographic shift will certainly lead to even wider adoption of sustainability practices as a result of increased demand from this more environmentally focused generation. Though a majority of LEED certified facilities are located in wealthy developments throughout the Northeast and Northwest, it is anticipated the trend will soon go national.

As a demographic known for their commitment to the environment, boomers will cast a discerning eye on their options, many making sustainability a priority. Moreover, because it will be the parents of GenXers and Millennials on the front lines, expect the younger generations to wield a certain amount of influence as well.

Ultimately, the shifts towards energy efficient and environmentally conscious senior living communities appear to be permanent.

As Andrew Carle, director of the senior housing administration program at George Mason University tells the Times, “In the next 20 years, these green communities will become the standard. “